New funding to explore major complications of pregnancy
25 June 2008
Professor Graham Burton at the University of Cambridge and colleagues have been awarded a programme grant to investigate why the placenta fails to function properly in pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction - two complications of pregnancy that have important, life-long implications for the health of the child.
Pre-eclampsia affects almost one-tenth of pregnancies. It causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to serious consequences for the mother, the baby, or both. Intrauterine growth restriction - a condition in which the growing fetus is smaller than expected - can lead to problems for the baby both at birth and later in life.
In their previous work the researchers have shown that protein synthesis is abnormal in affected placentas, and they now plan to explore the molecular processes that are responsible for this. Their research may help in the development of novel therapeutic interventions for these conditions.
Professor Margaret Rayman at the University of Surrey and colleagues will explore the association between low levels of selenium in expectant mothers and an increased risk of pre-eclampsia. Selenium, an essential trace element, is found in foods such as nuts and fish.
Researchers will run a pilot study to establish whether an increase in the women’s selenium levels can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia (as judged by measuring specific markers in the blood). If the pilot looks promising, the group plan to run a much larger study to show if selenium reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia itself.
Image: The effect of pre-eclampsia on the fetus. Left: pre-eclampsia; right: normal pregnancy; Ian Sargent